Neighbours can be great for many reasons. It's nice to have someone to chat to if you meet them outside, or if you need a favour such as taking in a parcel for you or borrowing something you need.
However, a few neighbours have been taking advantage by leaving another household to take in their parcels for them – despite actually being at home at the time of delivery.
The fed-up mum is now wondering whether she should just stop taking in their parcels, as they never return the favour for her.
She and her husband live in a building with five other residents, and because she's on maternity leave and he works from home a lot, at least one of them is home during the day.
Asking for advice in a popular parenting forum, the anonymous mum explained: "I have noticed recently we have been getting these neighbours' parcels as they haven't been answering the door (in particular it's the couple who work from home and the older lady who is at home all day).
"We didn't have an issue taking these in but there have been a few times recently we have had to collect our parcels from the depot as nobody took ours in since they don't answer the door."
The mum has asked whether she should stop taking in the parcels and if so what she should say to the postman when they try to deliver them to her.
She added: "I feel bad as they are just doing their job but nobody else does this favour in return and I have to go to the depot with a three-month-old baby! Anyone else experience this?"
Fellow parents told the mum that she is within her rights to just decline the delivery, and she doesn't need an explanation.
One person said: "The delivery guys are used to it. Just say no. I had a ridiculous situation recently when the guy wanted me to accept for two houses, and I said yes to one, and no to the other. He didn't seem fussed."
Another added: "Yes I've done that and they haven't batted an eyelid. They must be used to it."
A third added: "This happened to me too. Recently I just started to tell the postman/delivery guy, 'no I can't, sorry.' I feel much better now."
What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.
